Courteney Cox wants to direct a Scream movie. She said it while promoting her new film Evil Genius at the Toronto International Film Festival, and her castmates Patricia Arquette and David Harbour were right there to cheer her on with “yeahs” and “wows.”
The moment came during an interview with Deadline, where Cox was asked about directing a Scream sequel. Her answer was quick and confident.
“I think I should, honestly,” she said. “Nobody knows more about that movie than I do—I mean, and the creator, and Wes Craven, and the writers, and everybody who’s been in it—but I think it’d be great and fun and a good publicity thing. Get on it.”
Cox’s Track Record So Far
Cox has appeared in the Scream franchise as Gale Weathers since Wes Craven’s original film premiered in 1996. Her acting career has far outpaced her work behind the camera, though she is now pushing harder on that side of the business.
Evil Genius is her latest directorial effort. It is based on the Netflix true-crime documentary of the same name, which follows the “pizza bomber” case. Cox is using the Toronto festival to push the film ahead of its release.
What Scream 7 Left Behind
The latest Scream entry, Scream 7, grossed just shy of $208 million worldwide. That success did not come without trouble.
- The film drew crummy reviews
- A boycott movement formed after Spyglass Media fired lead actress Melissa Barrera in 2023 over her social media posts concerning the Israel-Hamas war
- Co-star Jenna Ortega and previously attached director Christopher Landon left the project soon after
Original screenwriter Kevin Williamson stepped in to direct Scream 7 instead. He has since said he will not return for the next film.
Why Cox Is In The Running
Cox’s argument for herself is simple: she has been in the franchise since the start. She knows the characters, the history and the expectations better than almost anyone else.
She also framed the pitch as a publicity win. A Scream sequel directed by a familiar face would generate attention, and Cox seems to believe she can deliver that attention.
“Get on it.”
Her castmates clearly agree. Arquette and Harbour responded with encouragement during the interview, suggesting the idea has support within the group.
The Road Ahead
Whether Cox gets the job depends on a few factors:
- Whether studios want a sequel at all
- Who controls the rights to the franchise next
For now, the question is open. Cox has made her position clear.
Our Take
Cox is promoting one film while pitching another, and her castmates are cheering her on. The idea has support within the group.
The Scream franchise has drawn crummy reviews and faced a boycott movement, yet Scream 7 still grossed nearly $208 million worldwide. Cox’s familiarity with the property is real, and her willingness to pitch herself is a sign of confidence.
Whether it goes anywhere is another matter. But for now, the story is simple: Courteney Cox wants to direct a Scream movie, and she said it in front of the cameras.
See the video the story is built around at The A.V. Club.
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